Dermatological Diseases
There are over 3,000 different skin conditions and diseases, including psoriasis, vitiligo, and atopic dermatitis.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes cells to rapidly accumulate and affects the surface of the skin. The extra skin cells form scales and red patches, or flares, which are itchy and sometimes painful. The National Psoriasis Foundation reports that psoriasis affects approximately 7.5 million people in the U.S., which accounts for over 2% of the domestic population. Globally, this skin condition is estimated to afflict over 125 million people.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition causing the skin to turn white due to the loss of pigment from the melanocytes, cells that produce the pigment melanin, which gives skin color. Vitiligo affects 1-2% of the population globally.
Atopic dermatitis, a chronic eczematous skin disease, can result in itchy, red, swollen, and cracked skin. There are approximately 17.8 million people in the U.S. suffering from atopic dermatitis, making it one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases.
Pharos
Pharos is a powerful excimer laser used by physicians as a tool to treat chronic skin diseases, including psoriasis, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, and leukoderma. It delivers highly concentrated 308 nm ultraviolet light to the affected skin without burning or ablating the skin.
Pharos offers significant benefits to patients. The targeted nature of Pharos treatment allows the operator to spare healthy tissue from exposure to the ultraviolet light making the treatment faster and safer than some other forms of phototherapy, or light therapy. Treatment with Pharos differs from topical treatments, such as steroids and vitamin D derivatives, which may require a frequent ongoing application. Treatment with Pharos also differs from pharmaceuticals treatments, which may be associated with systemic side effects.
Reimbursement
Coverage may vary according to patients’ individual plans. Talk to your physician’s billing staff for details about your insurance coverage.